The Washington critic., 1887-12-07
RELIGIOUS WORK IN AMERICA,
A CONFERENCE or CHRISTIANS
DISCUSS IT'S IMPROVEMENT,
Bishop Andrews Welcomes the Dele
gates to the City.
Distinguished Men haborinS for the
Spread of the Gospci--To-
days Sessions.

The General Christian Conference,
under the auspices of the Evangelical
Alliance, met few minutes after D
o'clock this morning at the Congrega-
iional Church, corner of Tenth and q
streets. Tho floor Of the church was
comfortably filled with the delegates
and the galleries were rapidly filed mp
with the general public, represented al
most exclusively by women. On the
floor were between forty and ttty
women. the rest being men, and almost
every man on the floor was on the shady
side Of life, and the men whose locks
were unstrcakcd with white were fcw,
and majority were white-haircd and white
bearded. Back of the pulpit were ranged
u row of chairs, occupied by prominent min
listers and those who were to address the
conference.
A prayer was made by Bishop Harris,
II. D., LII. D., of Michigan, after which thc
assemblagc rose and sang the hymn begln-
ming Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly
Dove"
Letters of regret were read from fifty or
sixty ministers, and the opening address was
then begun by William Il. Dodge l'resby,,
icrian), president of the Alliance. He said
that the Capital of the Nation was an
admirable place for conventions, as any good
said or done here would be Immediately felt
throughout the country. There are many
evils to be combatted by the Alliance, but
evangelical work should not be entirely
abandoned to missionaries. All should take
part in the missionary work. The state
ment was made that one-half of the people
never 20 to church. Healthy, material
prosperity must be founded on Christianity.
At the close of his address President Dodge
introduced the venerable Rev. John, jay OF
New York, whose name was applauded, and
announced that he would preside TT this
mornings session. The Rev. Jay is stately,
white-haired old gentleman, and, in pleas
ant conversational tone, he expressed his
thanks and made brief resume Of the
religious history OF this country.
BISHOP ANDREWS ADDRESS.
At the close of his remarks he introduced
Bishop Edward G. Andrews, d. d., LII. D.,
of this city, who delivered the address of
welcome. Bishop Andrews called attention
to the superiority Of Washington as place
for conventions. "The city is more yours
than ours: it is built by and represents the
whole nation" There are many subjects on
which legislation was needed. But Congress
itself is corrupt. "How can fountain rise
higher than its source" Congress is us good
as the people, and the people should be made
better. Washington is used to conventions.
a reference to the Washington Monument
was greeted with applause.
He was followed by Rev. Daniel Dorches-
ter, d. D., of Boston (Nlethodist). As was
natural, lie referred at length to anarchy as
one of the greatest evils of city life. The
paper was freely interspersed with statistics
of great value, but the paper exceeded the
allotted time and the secrctarys bell was
hnt ha hnan reached
lie was followed by Rev. Simon J. McPher-
son, D. ID. (Presbyterian), of Chicago, who
drew vivid picture of the evil influences of
city life. The influence of cities was wide
spread. New York controls the thought
of nearly the whole country. The influence
of Washington is felt in every newspaper in
every city in the country.
There never was country with so large an
alien population. And the worst classes set
tie in the cities; there Is n 10000 Hungarian
colony. The Germans are the most
persistent and successful colonists. The
question was whether We should assimilate
the Germans or the Germans assimilate us.
Rev. ). j. MCPHERSON, youngest-looking
man in the conference who wears n NOUS
iachc and looks more like prosperous
young business man than prominent min
istcr, discussed it. He condemned the
struggle for wealth, the craze for ''specula-
ton which hastcth to be rich and hath an
evil eye 1t was also the cause of anarchy,
with which Chicago alone had properly
dealt. Applause
There should be concert of action among
churches. He was often greeted with laugh
Ter, and ut the close of his address received
continued applause. Those who wished to
take part in the discussion were requested to
send their cards to the presiding officer.
Rev. James A. King Of New York was the
first to do this. lie merely rose to say that
he was interested in the papers read, but
would not take the time of the conference
Rev. II. Loomis, the author of "Our Great
Cities and their Religious Problems" spoke
Il few minutes on the religious aspects OF
city life. After this address was finished the
bcnedietion was pronounced and the confer.
encc adjourned.
ALLIANCE NOTES.
Senator Colquitt will preside at this even
ing's meeting Of the conference, and Justice
Harlan tomorrow morning.
An overflow meeting will be held at the
Fourth Presbyterian Church this afternoon
for those not able to gain admittancc to the
main meeting, when this mornings pro
gramme will be repeated.
"A letter was read inviting the delegates tc
avail themselves of the conycnences of tn,
Y. NJ. &. a. rooms.
Professor Paul acted as chorister and Mis-
Alice Styer rs organist.
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